Len Zilkowsky Joins WCK Kayak Angler Team

As the unprecedented growth in the fishing kayak market continues to surpass our expectations it's all we can do here at WCK to keep up. While most of our staff here are casual anglers and avid paddlers it was evident we were going to need a real keener on hand to keep us on the cutting edge of this exciting time in the kayak fishing world.

Enter Len Zilkowsky. It's possible that there could be a kayak angler out there that's as fired up about kayak fishing as Len is, but I doubt it. Having recently been picked up by Jackson Kayaks for their Kayak Angling Team getting Len onboard was the obvious choice.



Living in Chilliwack Len is local to some of the best kayak fishing destinations in the world . . . and of course Canada's best kayak fishing store.

Len can be found paddling and fishing his way around all the local lakes and rivers in his freshly decked out Jackson Coosa and Cuda. To help promote the sport and share his adventures and tips Len has a new web site: thefishwhisperer.ca, He regularly updates it with pictures, videos and gear reviews, be sure to check it out, lots of great content.

Len will be here at the WCK Kayak Fishing Seminar on March 16 with one of his decked out boats.

We couldn't be more excited to have Len on the team, we're already learning lots about kayak fishing modifications and fishing tips, and we're sure you will as well.

Here is one of Len's latest videos from a day kayak fishing on the Harrison River.


If you see Len out on the water be sure to say "Hi" and maybe he'll even let you take his Jackson out for a spin.

WCK at the 2012 BC Boat and Sportsmen's Show

Come check out our booth at this years show. We have a wide range of boats from canoes, kayaks, Stand Up Boards and a massive kayak fishing display with reps and pro's on hand to answer all your questions.

Abbotsford Ttradex Building, 1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford, BC V2T 6H5

Show Times:
Friday, March 6th 12 noon - 9 pm
Saturday, March 7th 10 am - 8 pm
Sunday, March 8th 10 am – 5 pm

Admission:
Adults: $12.00
Seniors (60+): $10.00
Students (6-16): $8.00
Children 5& under: FREE
Family (max 2 adults): $30.00

Parking:
$4.00 (Pay Upon Exit)

18th Annual Boat & Sportsmen’s Show and 6th Annual BC Hunting Show – The biggest and best sportsmen’s show in the country. Over 225 displays for the outdoor enthusiasts. Boats, marine accessories, fishing equipment, lodges & resorts, RV’s, campers, ATV’s and much more. Expert presentations, demos, entertainment & great prizes.

No other show kicks off the season like this one. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Fraser Valley Boat & Sportsmen’s Show because it has the largest and most complete selection of boats, outdoor products, and fishing gear. They see products they’ve never seen, equipment they have to have, and above all--a good time. It’s a hands-on event where enthusiasts can try out new fishing gear, see informative presentations and talk to the experts. Get in on the industry’s top show.

New member to WCK Whitewater Team - Steve Arns

There are very few whitewater paddlers in BC that give as much back to the community as Steve Arns. Aside from being a very accomplished whitewater paddler with over 300+ rivers and creeks under his belt in 8 different countries Steve has also started one of the most valuable resources for river beta in BC. Steve started the hugely popular Liquidlore.com site in 2009. Since then he has added dozens of river guides and blog posts. The site focuses mainly on BC but has lots of good beta for the east coast and California as well. It is the online bible for class 4+/5 whitewater kayaking in BC with amazing photos and accurate beta.

- Steve on the Homathko Portage, Day 2.

Aside from his online exploits Steve spear heads the Callaghan Creek Race in Whistler. Steve has also been one of the most active paddlers in the fight to preserve recreation on the hundreds of creeks in BC currently under threat of hydro development. This is a battle that consumes a lot of time and often has little or no reward. Either way, we really appreciate his efforts on this front.

- Spirit Falls, Little White Salmon River, WA

Steve has been paddling since 2002 "Learned to paddle in Newfoundland. Slowly migrated to Ottawa, where the boating was better, then to BC where the boating is the best..." - Steve Arns

- Upper Stave River, BC

We are super stoked to have Steve as part of the team. Check back here, and on the Liquidlore.com site for updates on river conservation, trip reports and even some product reviews. If you see him on the river be sure to thank him for the beta and efforts to keep water in our creeks.

WCK Paddle Team

Reel Paddling Film Festival - Fraser Valley

Join us and Valhalla Pure Outfitters for the annual Reel paddling Film Festival.

Date: March 09, 2012

Venue: University of the Fraser Valley,
33844 King Rd
Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M7
Canada

Show Time: 7:00pm

Tickets: $10.00 in adv or $12.00 at door
Tickets are available at Western Canoeing & Kayaking & Valhalla Pure Outfitters

Slalom Ice Breaker

This past weekend the Chilliwack Center for Excellence hosted the first IceBreaker Slalom race and it was a great success! 10 new racers, and lots of enthusiastic parents enjoyed the day at the Hope Slough in Chilliwack. The morning started with registration and a 2 hour slalom clinic and after a lunch break the races started. Winners included: Barb Taylor, Sam Fletcher, Isabel Taylor and Finley Capstick.

For more information about slalom whitewater competition contact Shonnet at slallen@tellus.net


The next 2 races are on Saturday February 18th at Ft Langley and Sunday February 19th at the Highway Gates.

Kayak Fishing Seminar

Join WCK for our first ever Kayak Fishing Seminar
Friday March 16 @ 7pm

We will have factory reps and sponsored kayak anglers on hand to answer all your questions about the industries best lines of fishing kayaks.

We will have some never before seen footage from a new Kayak Fishing Show featuring Sturgeon Fishing on the Fraser River.

Chat and share ideas with other up and coming kayak anglers. Come check out why kayak fishing is the fastest growing side of both kayaking and fishing. WCK stocks 4 makes of fishing specific canoes and kayaks as well as full selection of accessories to help customize your ride to your fish and your area.

Admission: Free
Door prizes and raffles with proceeds donated to the Wilderness Committee
Address: 1717 Salton Rd Abbotsford - Western Canoeing & Kayaking Factory store
Time: 7pm

Clipper at Klemtu

One of our canoes that will see the water, but never 'see' the water, if you know what I mean.

This special version of the 31' Northern Dancer, with a fiberglass deck was commissioned for the new Klemtu Ferry Terminal. I think it looks very small up there.

The canoe greets those entering the new terminal. The white Kermode bear on the plaque (left), reflects Klemtu's location in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Four 'copper' paddles have been mounted in the deck.
The images represent; salmon, killer whale, mouse woman and the 4 seasons of the moon.

Photo courtesy- tranbc.ca